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Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Today's edition of The Nottinghamian focuses on major changes proposed by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to help save £2 million. A union boss has warned the plans could have a negative affect on the city.
We will also discuss how a bar group is planning to take over two former Nottingham banks and turn them into 'high quality' and 'glamourous' themed bars. Plus Hockley Hustle returns, a pick of the top five family friendly Halloween activities and we hear Nottingham's thoughts on the hot topic of the day.
“Lesser fire service”
A union boss has warned Nottinghamshire would be left with a “lesser fire service” under new plans to reduce fire crew cover in three stations to help save £2 million. The major changes proposed by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service would see West Bridgford Fire Station have no crew on duty at night, and both London Road and Stockhill losing one fire engine each.
However, the fire service plans the return of 24-hour cover at the Kirkby-in-Ashfield station in a move hailed by local leaders as a “massive victory” for residents and public safety. The changes will be discussed by local politicians who sit on the Nottinghamshire Fire Authority at a meeting on Friday (September 23). The fire service says the changes are the “best option” for recouping a shortall in its budget.
West Bridgford would be the area worst-hit by the changes, which is expected to increase average response times by 43 seconds at a station already significantly above the service’s eight-minute target. Mark Stilwell, chair of the East Midlands FBU branch, said: “The Ashfield decision is correct but should have been taken anyway because it’s fixing a mistake, but we can’t have stations put back at the cost of others.
“This year already we’ve had some of the highest fire deaths for decades and, in Ashfield, there have been more fire deaths since the 2018 cuts. It’s a really stark picture, the fire service has already been cut to its bones and now this is picking the marrow from the middle of it.” Read more here.
Pending approval
A bar group is set to take on two historic buildings in the city centre and turn them into 'high quality' and 'glamourous' venues. ARC Inspirations currently run 18 bars across the north of England and have put forward plans for two bars in Nottingham.
The bar group operate three brands that cater for different styles. They will be bringing two of their brands to the city; a New York themed cocktail bar and a high quality sports bar. Offering a taste of the Big Apple, Manahatta is planned to take over the former French Connection shop and bank on Victoria Street, next to Goldsmiths and Delilah Fine Foods.
The three-storey former Midland Bank building was constructed in 1896, and now the bar is set to be spread across the basement, ground and first floor levels of the building. The bar group have also put forward plans to turn the former All Saints shop in Thurland Street into a bar.
They say it would be a "high-quality sports bar to eat, drink, view, play and party". Developers have said the physical works would be kept as "light touch as possible" to ensure the historic significance of the site, which was constructed in 1879, would not be harmed. ARC Inspirations claim to have an "established track record of investing significantly in communities and transforming vacant and redundant buildings into high quality bars". The planning applications are both pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Any mist or fog patches at first will clear to leave largely dry but increasingly cloudy day on Thursday. However, rain, some heavy, could reach the region later on. Maximum temperature 21 °C.
Pollen: Low
Further reading: Suburb which is 'changing for the better' with new developments
Trivia question: What year did Goose Fair start?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts says
Today, the latest government plan to tackle the cost of living crisis has been announced. It means wholesale energy prices for businesses will be capped for six months. We asked the people of Nottingham: "What do you make of the latest energy bills plan for businesses?"
Tim Morrison, 64, from Arnold said: "I think it is a good thing. It is about time something was announced as many people have been worrying. Hopefully this is just the start of more help."
Linsey Hall, 55, from Bulwell added: "I hope it will be enough. There have been so many struggling already. Lots of businesses have already had to close. I wonder if it is just too late."
Student James Cook, 19, said: "That's good. I don't know too much about it as I don't own a business but I think any help is good."
Hockley hustle returns
A multi venue music festival is set to return next month to raise vital funds for Nottingham charities. The Hockley Hustle is set to take place on Sunday 23 October and will showcase a line up of homegrown artists.
The music festival will be the first in three years and previous acts have included Nottingham talent like 94 Gunships, Babe Punch and Ella Knight. This years line up is yet to be announced but multiple venues are taking part including Rough Trade, The Angel, The Bodega, Jamcafe, Hockley Arts Cafe and Bar Eleven.
Hockley Hustle will not only be a day of music. There will be a silent disco at Broadway Cinema and a Samba parade from Can Samba on the streets of Hockley along with light shows. Nottingham Street Food Club will provide a selection of the city's finest food and drinks will be supplied by Hockley Helles Lager and Castle Rock Brewery.
Proceeds from the day will support local charities including Imara, Base 51, Emmanuel House, BME Cancer Communities and a Nottingham food bank. Hockley Hustle has raised more than £200,000 for charity over 15 years. Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £10 for students and a number of low-income families will get free entry. Read more here.
Family-friendly Halloween
Spooky season is fast approaching and Nottinghamshire is getting ready to celebrate with a series of Halloween events. Yet it can be hard to find celebrations with the right level of scare factor for all the family so, life writer Caroline Barry has hand picked the top five family friendly events happening across Nottingham this Halloween.
Top of the list is pumpkin picking. It is the perfect activity to kickstart any October and there is no need to book at Oaks Lane farm in Oxton. Next up on the list is watching PG-rated movie Hocus Pocus with the historic Wollaton Hall as the backdrop.
If you want to take your Halloween adventure to the next level, why not take part in a trick-or-treat maze? There will be pumpkin carving, spooky stories around the campfire and plenty of frightful crafts to get stuck into as well as a scavenger hunt as you walk through the Arnold maze.
Hicking Lane will also once again celebrate Halloween in style. Children will be able to stroll through the Spider's lair or the witches' walkthrough followed by clowns with more jump scares along with rides, face painting, bouncy castles and slides. Finally, the National Justice Museum invites children to help them track down the Ghost Hunter and take part in crafty activities and spooky games. More details on all the activities can be found here.
That’s all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today’s trivia question, what year did Goose Fair start, is 1284.
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